Chapter 131

Chapter 131
My heart was thumping louder now. I tried to memorize the streets we were crossing, but every bend blurred into another. I couldn't tell where he was taking me. Maybe, somewhere away from the city. The roads were unfamiliar, dark, and empty.

My head shook.

No!

Kayden reached out and yanked me back against his chest. My skin burned where he touched me. Disgust crawled through my veins as his arm tightened around me, locking me in place. I twisted, tried to push him away, but it was useless. The more I struggled the more he tightened his hold around me.

Suddenly, the car slowed. My breath caught in my throat, and I leaned slightly forward, trying to make sense of what he had said to me, but all I could see was red and blue lights flashing.

The driver cursed under his breath and pressed the brakes fully. Up ahead, barricades blocked the road, and police officers were standing with their hands and rifles slung across their shoulders, scanning every vehicle that approached.

“What is it?” Kayden demanded sharply.

“Police checkpoint,” the driver replied “Looks like a routine block”

My heart slammed against my chest as a wave of new hope flashed through it. Maybe, if I tell them I am being kidnapped, they may help me!

God!

This could be my chance.

With every ounce of strength left in my body, I lunged forward, slamming my palm against the window. I just wanted to bring their attention to me.

“Serena!” Kayden roared, dragging me back harshly.

I had to let go because now he was putting pressure on my belly. He was doing it on purpose because he knew my weakness. It was like a silent warning.
“Change the route,” Kayden snapped coldly.

The driver didn’t argue. He turned the steering wheel sharply and took a narrow road that cut off from the main highway.

I pressed my lips together to stop myself from crying out. Just like that, my chance slipped through my fingers.

We drove only for a few minutes before the driver slowed down again. Another police vehicle stood diagonally across the road, and police officers were everywhere.

I could feel Kayden's body turning stiff. A smile made its way to my lips.

“Turn back,” Kayden ordered. “Take the internal route.”

The driver nodded and turned the wheel again. But this time I was sure it wasn't just a coincidence. They were there on purpose. Somewhere Kayden knew it too.

“You’re done, Sera" Kayden mumbled in my ears "Pray for yourself"

The roads we drove through were pitch dark. There was no sign of life. I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms as I silently begged the universe not to abandon me now. Not after bringing me this close.

I was losing hope when suddenly the car screeched to a halt.

My eyes burned with hot tears when ahead of us I saw four black cars.

They didn't belong to the police like before. They were parked side by side on purpose to block the entire road. Engines of the cars were on, headlights were blinking but they weren't moving.

My breath caught painfully in my throat. My heart was beating in my ears out of anticipation.

A long moment of silence spread in the car. Kayden's hold slightly loosened on my waist. He tried to take hold of the situation. The color drained from his face. Slowly, his fingers curled into fists so tight that his knuckles turned white.

“Take the car back,” he snapped.

And a soft chuckle passed my lips as I relaxed a little bit. Kayden's head snapped down at me as if I had committed a sin.

"What?" He roared at my face.

I just shook my head.

There was nothing to say. Somewhere he also knew what was going to happen.

The driver swallowed and shifted into reverse.

The car had barely moved a few feet when harsh headlights flooded the rearview mirror.

My smile only widened when I saw more cars behind us blocking the way.

I have never felt this good after being trapped before.

“Fuck!” Kayden roared, slamming his fist against the seat.

The sound echoed inside the car. His eyes were wild when he turned towards me again. For a second, I thought he might hit me but he just exhaled sharply.

"What are you waiting for idiot?" Kayden shouted at the top of his lungs “Go out and ask them to move.”

The driver looked at him like he’d lost his mind. “Sir...”

“NOW!” Kayden barked.

One side of my lips curled up in a smile. With trembling hands, the driver unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car. Cold air rushed in but it didn't make me shiver.

I watched through the windshield as he raised his hands slightly, walking toward the black cars, asking them to give way but the cars didn't move.

My heart hammered violently as the doors of the black cars opened one by one and men stepped out.

All of them were dressed in black and carried weapons openly. They moved in precision that screamed danger. I have stayed with Matteo long enough to know who they were.

The driver froze.

Kayden’s grip around me tightened. I could feel his pulse racing against my back now.

When the men took their positions, the door of the middle car opened and Matteo stepped out.

For a moment, everything froze. The atmosphere itself held its breath. I stared at him without blinking or moving.

He was dressed in a crisp and tailored black suit, but his was different from others. It seems like he came directly from his wedding. His hair was slightly disheveled, Jae was tightly clenched, and his eyes were burning. They looked wild and feral. A gun rested casually in his hand, like it was an extension of his body.

My breath caught in my throat when his gaze locked onto me through the mirror.

He was looking like death itself, but I relaxed. I let out a shaky breath and my lower lip wobbled. Something inside my chest broke and healed at the same time.

I didn't need to say anything. He could read through me like an open book.

Slowly, he walked forward, his every step screamed authority. The men parted instinctively for him. He raised the gun in warning.

“Kayden,” his voice came out cold and lethal. “Come out. Now.”

Kayden stiffened behind me while my breath trembled as hope surged through me so hard it almost hurt.

A long and deep silence spread between us. At this point, I thought, now that Matteo has arrived, I will be safe. He trapped Kayden from all sides, but suddenly Kayden shoved me aside and lunged forward.

Before I could understand what he was trying to do, he scrambled into the front seat. The car jerked forward suddenly, swerving hard to the right. I was thrown back against the seat as the tires screeched.

“No!” I cried, reaching for the handle, but the doors were already sealed.

My eyes widened, and my heart dropped into my stomach when Kayden drove straight into the forest path...